An Experiment
in Generosity
From June 24 to September 8, 2023, Vollpension's Generationencafé Johannesgasse in Vienna transformed into a living laboratory for gift economy—inspired by Karma Kitchen's model.
For almost two and a half months, guests received their meals as a gift from the previous guest, and were invited to pay forward the experience for someone they'd never meet. Menus had no prices. Every bill showed €0.00.
The experiment collected feedback from hundreds of guests and employees, revealing powerful insights about trust, generosity, and human connection.
What is Vollpension?
A beloved intergenerational café in Vienna where "Omas and Opas" (grandmothers and grandfathers) bake and serve guests—bridging generations through coffee, cake, and conversation.
How It Worked
Menu Without Prices
Guests ordered freely without seeing what anything "cost"
Love Letters
Guests found a handwritten note from whoever paid for their meal
Pay It Forward
At the end, guests chose how much to gift for the next stranger
Messages
from Strangers
Guests were invited to write a note for whoever would sit at their table next. Hundreds of heartfelt messages accumulated—a physical archive of human kindness.
These letters became a core part of the experience. Walking in to find a handwritten note from someone you'd never meet created an immediate sense of connection and belonging.
— Sarah & Josefina
What Guests Said
Vollpension surveyed 154 guests to understand their experience.
Overall Satisfaction (n=154)
Impact on Visit Frequency
What People Loved
- Great idea/concept — many found it inspiring
- Emotionally touching — connection with strangers
- Good feeling — doing something kind for others
- More appreciation possible — freedom to give generously
- 92.7% said it didn't influence what they ordered
Challenges Noted
- Some guests felt insecure about choosing an amount
- A few were overwhelmed or didn't understand at first
- Some doubted the model's sustainability
- In times of inflation, some preferred paying for themselves
- Employees noted less tipping and more explanation needed
Coverage & Recognition
The experiment attracted attention from Austrian and international media.
Featured in Falstaff, Kurier Freizeit, MeinBezirk, Radio Wien, and even 日本経済新聞 (Nikkei) in Japan—showing how the concept resonates across cultures.
What We Learned
90-95% Cost Recovery
Daily revenue was 5-10% below standard pricing. Not self-sustaining long-term, but far from the "disaster" skeptics predicted.
Trust is Fragile but Real
Guests reported low trust in others to participate fairly—yet the collective behavior showed people largely do the right thing.
Communication is Critical
Guests suggested: clearer signage, price references for context, and asking permission before including them in the experiment.
Seasonal May Be Best
Vollpension concluded that periodic "Gifting Forward" events may work better than permanent implementation—preserving the magic.
Inspired by Vienna?
The Vollpension experiment showed that gifting forward works—even in a commercial café setting. Want to learn more or bring this model to your community?
Get In Touch
Questions about the Vienna experiment or gift economy? We'd love to hear from you.
Explore More Locations
Vienna is one of many places experimenting with gift economy dining. Find others near you, or start your own.